Miami, FL – A Colombian national is facing serious charges in Miami after being accused of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. Giovanni Cardona Parra, 44, was arrested following an operation by the South Florida Crimes Strike Force.
Authorities observed Parra driving erratically in a black BMW before he pulled into a fast-food restaurant parking lot. Upon approaching Parra for identification, officers were presented with a New York State learner’s permit marked “not for federal purposes.” Subsequent investigations by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed that Parra was residing illegally in the United States.
A police canine unit indicated the presence of a controlled substance in Parra’s vehicle. A search of the car’s trunk uncovered over 30 kilograms of cocaine, leading to Parra’s arrest on federal drug trafficking charges. An immigration detainer has also been placed on him.
Parra made his initial court appearance on May 6, and a bond hearing is scheduled for May 12 at 10:00 a.m. in Miami. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could potentially be sentenced to life in federal prison.
The announcement of the charges was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of HSI’s Miami Field Division. The case is being investigated by HSI Miami and the South Florida Financial Crimes Strike Force, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Fugate prosecuting.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation leverages resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
